Clinical Trials at St. Louis Cancer Care
Tomorrow’s Treatments, Today
At St. Louis Cancer Care, we are committed to advancing cancer treatment through innovative research and compassionate care. By offering in-house clinical trials and collaborating with leading institutions like OnCare Alliance and Exigent, we provide patients with access to cutting-edge therapies that may not be available elsewhere.
Our mission is simple: to fight cancer with every tool at our disposal, improve patient outcomes and work tirelessly to prevent its return.
Meet our Clinical Research Coordinator, Kelli Martin, RN, BSN, CCRC
Kelli brings extensive experience in oncology nursing and clinical research to her role as Research Coordinator at St. Louis Cancer Care. As a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC), she oversees and manages clinical trials, ensuring that patients have access to innovative therapies and that studies are conducted with the highest standards of safety, accuracy, and compassion.
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With her background as a registered nurse, Kelli is dedicated to supporting patients throughout their care journey. She works closely with physicians, staff, and research partners to connect patients with new treatment opportunities and advance cancer care through clinical studies.
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Her commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and compassionate approach make her an invaluable member of the St. Louis Cancer Care team.
What is clinical research?
Clinical research is a branch of medical and health research aimed at generating valuable knowledge for understanding human disease, preventing and treating illnesses, and promoting health. It encompasses a wide range of studies involving direct interaction with patients, diagnostic clinical materials or data, or broader population-based research. Clinical research includes the following categories:
1. Disease mechanisms – Investigating the biological and physiological processes underlying diseases.
2. Translational research – Bridging laboratory discoveries and clinical applications to improve patient care.
3. Clinical knowledge – Advancing understanding of disease detection, diagnosis, and natural history.
4. Therapeutic interventions – Developing and testing drugs, biologics, medical devices, and instruments through clinical trials.
5. Prevention and health promotion – Researching strategies for primary and secondary prevention of diseases.
6. Behavioral research – Studying the psychological and behavioral aspects of health and disease.
7. Health services research – Examining healthcare outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and system efficiency.
8. Epidemiology – Investigating disease patterns, causes, and effects within populations.
9. Community-based and managed care trials – Conducting research within real-world healthcare settings to assess interventions and policies.
What is the importance of a clinical trial?
Clinical research advances science and ensures that patient care is of the highest possible level of quality. At St Louis Cancer Care LLP, we participate in clinical research involving cancer care. We collaborate with Sarah Cannon Research Institute and the CALGB (Cancer and Leukemia Group B), as well as being involved with Industry sponsored trials. This allows us to conduct a great variety of clinical trials granting easy access to state of the art cancer care to all our patients in the community.
What are the benefits of participating in a clinical trial?
Individuals who are invited to join a clinical trial will actively participate in the development of new medical therapies that may offer better treatments or quality of life or even cures for patients with cancer. Patients and families will play an active role in their health care, gain access to state of the art and new treatments before they are available to the general public, and may help others by contributing to the advance of cancer research.
How to participate in clinical trials
Ask your Medical Oncologist about available clinical trials. For detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions regarding participating in clinical trials call Kelli Martin, RN, BSN, CCRC at 314-291-3312.
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